HRK-EXPERTISE Internationalisation

An international approach and a global perspective are essential for the quality of teaching and research at German universities. Therefore, a comprehensive, strategic, quality-oriented internationalisation ensures that Germany universities and the country’s higher education system as a whole remain competitive.

However, the internationalisation of a university can only be successful as long as it is regarded as a comprehensive development and is supported by all members of the institution. The project HRK-EXPERTISE Internationalisation aims to support German universities in creating the necessary conditions for successful internationalisation. On the one hand, this requires adjustments on the structural level. The international approach must be at the core of all activities and must be transferred into all areas of academic life. On the other hand, it is crucial that an institution’s internationalisation strategy is based on a shared vision. Also, putting this strategy into practice should be a common effort that as many university members as possible partake in. This is the starting point for the various advisory formats offered by HRK-EXPERTISE Internationalisation.

Information on how to participate in the formats is made available in German on the website of the project. The project, which will run until 2020, is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).

Aims of the project

The primary aim of the project is to provide advice to individual universities on developing and refining their institutional strategies. Moreover, HRK-EXPERTISE Internationalisation offers to support universities working on selected topics of internationalisation in greater depth as well as in all phases of implementing concrete measures of internationalisation. Depending on the university’s individual needs, different processes, aspects, and topics will be focussed upon and will be firmly anchored within the institution.

Furthermore, the project helps to identify and disseminate examples of good practice, promotes the exchange of knowledge and experience, and encourages networking and cooperation within the higher education system as a whole.

The dissemination and networking activities are based on findings yielded by an intensive analysis of the individual advisory formats and processes. This includes, amongst other things, compiling information on the strengths and weaknesses of the German higher education system, as well as recording further demands for advice and new topic areas. In this way, HRK-EXPERTISE Internationalisation continues to effectively contribute to strengthening Germany as a hub of higher education and science.